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Posts filed under Articles

Overview: Tim Parsons gives us a look at some of the implications of the ‘everyone is a designer’ thinking that is becoming more and more popular.

Thoughts: I can see some validity to his position. He is coming from the perspective of a professional designer. The skill set and training that this group brings to a design project is vital. However, when it comes to designing things or products – to say that the end user should be ignored is a bit short sighted. Many product designers have gone through the soul killing process of creating a beautiful work, only to have it changed over and over again until it can be produced for the masses. Why not talk with those you are designing for from the beginning and bring beauty to a collaborative process. Very few designers have the luxury of behaving like highly paid artists. Most have to live in the practical world of making a living.

The Myths of User-Centred Design

Tim Parsons

The extent to which members of the public not trained in design should be involved in the design process has become something of a hot topic over the past few years. Before the emergence of user-centred design, except for consulting market research reports or focus groups, designers were largely left alone to channel their predictions of the public’s desires and behaviour into their creations. Today in many areas of design and architecture, seeking the opinions of the public, and even designing with them, is now considered good practice. Global design consultancies such as IDEO expound the virtues of the designer acting as a facilitator, working in teams with non-designer stakeholders. Co-design has become a business model, both for companies selling research insights and as a means of enabling the public to have a more direct impact upon the look of the products they buy. Read more »

Overview of this Article: This is a post covering the rise of demand and need for Designers – but describes “T’ shaped Designers – often also called “Design Thinkers”. Thoughts on this Article: I like seeing the beginning of this wave – and hope that it continues. The elements of Design Thinking and the skills… (read more)

Overview of Article: There is a distinct skill called “Design” that is getting lost in all of the focus on Design Thinking. As schools try to create multiple options for students, they are getting away from actually training the classical Designer. Thoughts on this Article: I like Gadi and his insights. He is a hand’s… (read more)

Overview: This addresses the ongoing conversation about the term “Design Thinking” Thoughts: In all honesty, it really doesn’t matter, does it? If people get the concept, and are able to be more effective in their processes, then who cares what it is called? I do think the links in this post are worth following …. (read more)

Overview of Post: A quick background to set up the links to 2 very good articles from someone who KNOWS what he is talking about. Thoughts on this Post: I appreciate the desire that Jimmy Guterman has to get the rest of the articles out there. We are often limited to how much space we… (read more)

Overview of Article: This is a look at Open Design City, how it came into being, and what the implications might be if this concept emerges as a solid trend. Thoughts on this Article: OK – this is just marginally related to Design Thinking, but I thought it was worth making it available. The underlying… (read more)

Overview: This is a “rant” of sorts from Adaptive Path and the struggle they are experiencing with hiring Design interns. Thoughts: I like this! The struggle that they outline highlights where Design Thinking originated in the overall Design process. The make a fantastic point that students who go to design school to become Design Thinkers… (read more)

Design Thinking and Innovation Overview of Post: This is another overview of Design Thinking with one exception: it goes into details of the process and gives other resources. Thoughts on this Post: I like this. When people ask me for a quick handout on Design Thinking, this may become my “go to” article. Thanks Kendall!… (read more)

Overview: This is a quick look at the ways that a business can effectively utilize a Design Thinker in the ranks. Thoughts on this Article: Way too simplified! And again, there is an ambiguity on what a “designer” is. For IDEO, the Design Thinking process and skills revolve around the Industrial Design world. There are… (read more)

Original Post and Comments HERE at Archis.org Overview: The author is taking on the idea that Design Thinking is actually part of Design as the Design discipline actually is and historically has existed. Several different areas of thought are introduced, and contrasted with each other. – Thoughts on this: I would have to agree that… (read more)